New Zealand’s Brain-Drain

Between 1976 and 1980 320,000 New Zealanders emigrated to other countries.Between 1986 and 1990 nearly 310,000 New Zealanders emigrated to other countries.

It was during these two time periods that New Zealand suffered its heaviest net migration losses.

Profile of a “typical” migrant from New Zealand during these times:

Aged between 20 - 39

Skilled or professionally qualified

Destination – Australia

“Gidday mate.”

Push Factors

Pull factors

Lots of job opportunities

Higher wages and salaries

Warmer climate

X Unemployment

X High mortgage interest rates

Since the late 1990s thousands of young New Zealanders have migrated overseas.

They have moved because of a variety of reasons including:

X Lower wages

X High student loan debt

X Limited career opportunities

Australia and the United Kingdom have been the main destinations for people leaving New Zealand.

In 2001 there were 8 times more New Zealanders in Australia than there were Australians living in

New Zealand.

But has it really been a “brain drain”?

Or, has it simply been a “brain exchange”?

Migration statistics suggest that New Zealand has gained as many highly skilled migrants from other

countries as it has lost through emigration.

Since the 1980s more than 500,000 New Zealanders have returned to our shores.

New Zealand has benefitted from the experience and expertise that these people gained in other

countries.